Things To Do in Louisiana This Weekend
Whether you are a culture seeker, food aficionado, outdoor adventurer or history lover, Louisiana is filled with opportunities for you to #FeedYourSoul.
Here's a roundup of fun Louisiana events and activities.
With nine state museums and 21 state parks and preserves, there is no shortage of things to do every day of the year in Louisiana. Head to countless festivals. Listen to live music that will get in your bones and never leave. Enjoy world-class fishing, boating and paddling. Get up close with nature on biking and hiking trails. You'll find excellent camping and picnic areas, including well-equipped cabins and RV parks at a Louisiana state park.
Discover the history of Mardi Gras, see Louis Armstrong's cornet, relive historical moments in Louisiana sports history and so much more when you visit one of Louisiana's state museums. There are countless opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture that makes Louisiana such a special place.
These are just a few #OnlyLouisiana events happening around the state this weekend. For a full list of this weekend's events, click here!
Essence Festival of Culture
July 4-6
New Orleans
Experience New Orleans’ star-studded ESSENCE Festival of Culture, the largest Black music and culture event in the United States. Groove to icons like Boyz II Men, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, or see current superstars like GloRilla, Summer Walker and Ari Lennox. Don’t miss the festival’s SOKO MRKT, where art centers empowerment, impact and equity. Learn more about tickets.
While you’re in town, dive further into New Orleans’ Black history. Start with lunch at Creole eatery The Munch Factory (a favorite of Beyoncé, by the way) before touring StudioBE. This powerful warehouse installation explores the impact of Black revolutionaries.
July Fourth Celebration Roundup
July 4
Broussard & Lafayette
This Friday, it’s all about the brilliant red, white and blue with free evening celebrations filled with fun for everyone — and of course wow-worthy fireworks. Join the festivities at the 20th annual Broussard Independence Day Festival, where DJ sets, live performances and kid-approved activities combine for hours of excitement. At Lafayette Stars & Stripes, browse local pop-up shops and listen to a lineup of performers hit the stage, including The Good Dudes and Grammy Award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers.
There’s no better way to start your day in Lafayette than at Hub City Farmers’ Market and Lafayette Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market, which both boast artisan wares, farm-fresh seasonal produce and plenty of baked goods. Later, embark on a journey through Louisiana’s swamps on a boat tour or rally your friends and family for an epic showdown at Levena Paintball.
Natchitoches Balloon Festival
July 4-5
Natchitoches
Experience the sky-high magic as Independence Day takes flight at the Natchitoches Balloon Festival. Take advantage of free admission on Friday, and watch as a colorful parade of massive hot-air balloons float over the Cane River. Then, dance and nom on delicious food-truck fare up until dazzling bursts of fireworks fill the night sky. On Saturday ($25 entry per vehicle), get up close with the balloons as you meet the pilots or even take a tethered ride toward the clouds.
Pack a lunch with Lasyone’s famous meat pies or pastries from StoryBrew Coffee Cafe, then cruise the Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway through the verdant rolling hills of the Kisatchie National Forest. You’ll love hiking pine-line trails to picturesque views of mesas and buttes — a perfect place to pause for a picnic.
Red, White, Blue & You
July 4
Lake Charles
Red, White, Blue & You returns for another day of patriotic fun with friends and family. The event kicks off with a hot dog cookoff at 3:30 p.m. and continues with all-day activities at North Beach and Olympic-style games at Millennium Park. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for hours of outdoor music from bands like the Lake Charles Community Band, followed by an electrifying concert by L.A. ROXX and a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.
When the festivities are over, stay the night at a quaint B&B or an expansive casino resort to extend your celebratory weekend. Work up an appetite biking past the historic homes of Shell Beach Drive or kayak along the vast lake and Calcasieu River (rentals available from outfitters like River Raft Rentals LLC). Then, refuel at foodie hot spots like Pujo St. Café — known for its golden-brown bread pudding topped with rum sauce.
Rocking on the River
July 4
Baton Rouge
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday on the banks of the Mississippi during the inaugural Rocking on the River event. It’ll be an evening filled with music, from high-energy blues to line-dancing tunes, along with a performance by local faves the OMT Band. Plus, learn how to spin and two-step with the best of ‘em with free zydeco lessons starting at 5 p.m. Those needing a boogie break can stroll vendor booths, take in riverfront views or dip their toes in the cool waters.
Close to the riverfront, you’ll find a slew of entertaining activities for some pre-event fun. Check out nearby museums like the stately Louisiana Old State Capitol — just across the street — or the USS Kidd Veterans Museum. Down the road, Oxbow Rum Distillery offers ticketed tours and tastings. If you’re craving more outdoor views, explore the lakeside trails of Veterans Memorial Park or traverse the miles-long levee trail.
Downtown Block Party
July 5
Monroe
It’s time to celebrate summer like a local at Monroe’s 5th annual Downtown Block Party. Kick off your morning with a 5K or 1K fun run around town, then discover hidden gems, from jewelry to stunning art pieces, at the artists’ and makers’ market in Art Alley or join the evening pub crawl. It all culminates in the awe-inspiring fireworks starting at 9 p.m.
Continue making memories all weekend long with a self- or professional-guided tour to meet — and sometimes feed — the camels, zebras, kangaroos and more at Wild Country Safari Park. Nearby you can experience a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Poverty Point, home to an on-site museum and hikeable, human-made mounds. Explore more regional historical places followed by a dreamy night beneath the stars at Poverty Point Reservoir State Park.
Lebeau Zydeco Festival
July 5
Lebeau
Celebrate Louisiana’s vibrant Creole music tradition at Lebeau Zydeco Festival, where you can groove to all-day jams from Geno Delafose, Rusty Metoyer and more. Once you’ve two-stepped accordion-drenched hits, fill up with a pork backbone dinner, which the festival is famous for.
While you’re in town, swing by Steamboat Warehouse in nearby Opelousas for fried catfish smothered in crawfish cream sauce, lemon butter-drizzled redfish or cheesy crab-and-shrimp au gratin. Looking to catch some rays? Kayak in the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge.
Plan your trip to St. Landry Parish.
July Celebration
July 5
West Monroe
Commemorate Independence Day with hours of classic summer entertainment at July Celebration. Set near Antique Alley, you and your crew can meander local boutiques and food vendors as the sounds of lively tunes drift through the air. Or save your stomach to compete in the hot-dog-eating contest for a first-place cash prize. Then, round out your experience with a stop at the DAR Flag Garden and a snuggle on the levee to watch fireworks sparkle and shimmer over the river.
Learn about the folks who have served our country at Chennault Aviation & Military Museum or North Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston. Before heading home, snag fresh peaches along with peachy items, including preserves, candles and cobbler in a jar, from Mitcham Farms.
Make Plans for Louisiana This Month
Whether it's one of our many exciting festivals or an adventure in the great outdoors, there is always something unique to experience in Louisiana. Be sure to check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date list of festivities.
